Tiered Approach

In line with the commitment to safeguard capacity and support personnel already in the Organization, a majority of UNDP UNCDF/UNV vacancies are advertised using a tiered application process whereby:

Tier 0: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV IP staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments, whose posts will be abolished, or contracts will be terminated or not renewed during 2026.
Tier 1: Other UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding permanent (PA) and fixed-term (FTA) appointments
Tier 2: UNDP/UNCDF/UNV staff holding temporary appointments (TA), personnel on regular PSA contracts, and Expert and Specialist UN Volunteers
Tier 3 or no tier indicated: All other contract types from UNDP/UNCDF/UNV and other agencies, and other external candidates

Please make note of the Tier(s) indicated in the vacancy title, if any, and ensure that you satisfy the eligibility to apply.

Background

Afghanistan for more than 50 years on climate change and resilience, gender, governance, health, livelihoods, and rule of law.

Following the power shift in August 2021, the situation for the country remains largely uncertain and fragile, with approximately seventy percent of the population facing multifaceted vulnerabilities affecting their well-being, human security and long-term development while nearly a third of the population are estimated to be acutely food insecure. Over the recent years, international assistance has played a vital role in averting a socioeconomic collapse by providing lifesaving, resilience-building and livelihoods-sustaining assistance to millions of people, hundreds of critical healthcare and educational centres, and tens of thousands of small and medium enterprises, often owned and managed by women. Nevertheless, the humanitarian challenge in Afghanistan is one of the biggest in the world, and basic human needs and priorities remain extremely high. In 2024, 95 percent of households experienced at least one shock of an economic or natural disaster nature such as floods, droughts and others.

To help tackle the pressing challenges for enduring livelihoods and climate resilience, UNDP is designing fit-for-purpose portfolios of programs to create new livelihoods, income opportunities, basic services and to build resilience against climate-induced natural calamities that continue to haunt millions of households in the country.

Afghanistan remains one of the most gender-unequal countries in the world, with women facing systemic challenges hindering their access to education and employment opportunities in the public sector and restricting their participation in public life. UNDP remains committed to women's empowerment through capacity-building initiatives, livelihoods and self-employment/employment support, enhancing gender-responsive decision-making at community level, and supporting local communities to include women, in line with UNSCR 1325 (Women, Peace, and Security).

To support UN joint programming in the provision of basic human needs, a Special Trust Fund for Afghanistan (hereinafter referred as the Fund or STFA) was established on 20 October 2021.

The Fund serves as an inter-agency mechanism to enable donors to channel their resources and coordinate their support to the UN joint programmes in support of the UN Strategic Framework for Afghanistan (UNSFA) which serves as the strategic planning framework for the United Nations in Afghanistan. The Steering Committee is the decision making structure for the Fund while the Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office) acts as the Administrative Agent. The Trust Fund Management Unit (TFMU) is the Fund Secretariat for STFA and is the entity responsible for the operational functioning of the Fund and provides technical and management support to the Steering Committee. The STFA will be directly supervised by the Resident Coordinator while UNDP will provide administrative support to the Secretariat, TFMU.

Under the direct supervision and overall guidance of the Resident Coordinator and matrix reporting of the UNDP Resident Representative, the Trust Fund Manager supports the Trust Fund governance structures to engage with relevant stakeholders (donor community and development partners) through the Trust Fund Steering Committee and Technical Coordination Working Group (TCWG) mechanism. The Trust Fund Manager leads the Project Management, Finance, Communications as well as Monitoring and Evaluation teams housed in the Trust Fund Management Unit. The team composition shall be adjusted over time as and when approved by the Steering Committee. The Trust Fund Manager will report administratively to the UNDP Resident Representative.

Job Purpose and Organizational Context

The Trust Fund Manager performs functions related to (1) management and coordination of the activities financed by the Trust Fund and advice to the Steering Committee on the Fund strategic priorities; (2) advocacy and building strategic partnerships; (3) knowledge management and impact analysis of the activities financed by the Trust Fund; and (4) management and oversight of the TFMU.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Management and coordination of the activities financed by the Trust Fund and advice to the Steering Committee on the Fund strategic priorities

Provide strategic advice to the STFA Steering Committee on Fund related matters.

Support the Resident Coordinator, donors and Participating UN Organizations in the review and redesign of the governance arrangements; strategies and coordination arrangements, as needed, ensuring alignment to Agenda 2030 as well as national sectoral and cross-cutting priorities.

Ensure the development of the Fund’s strategic planning documents.

Oversee the review and updating of the Fund ToR and the Operations Manual.

Ensure effective technical and administrative support to the Steering Committee and TCWGs’ processes and follow-up of on decisions.

Liaise and ensure close coordination with the Fund Administrative Agent (MPTF Office in New York).

Guide the Participating UN Organizations on the programming processes and requirements as laid out in the TF Operations Manual.

Implement call for proposals in line with the Fund procedures and Resource Allocation Criteria.

Ensure quality control of the MPTF funded projects, including coherence, risk management and application of cross-cutting approaches within the Fund.

Ensure Fund monitoring through the Fund-level Results Management System.

Ensure the development and implementation of the Fund Risk Management Strategy.

Ensure and oversee the production of the Fund annual reports and other updates.

2. Advocacy and Building Strategic Partnerships

Develop and ensure implementation of the Fund's communication strategy and visibility plan.

Develop and ensure implementation of the Fund's resource mobilization strategy.

Liaises and coordinates with donor focal points and other TF stakeholders.

Establishes and maintains strategic partnerships with additional potential donors, and identify and initiates key resource mobilization opportunities.

Facilitates UN multi-agency engagement in the programming.

Ensures linkages and consistency between the MPTF and other related initiatives.

Lead outreach efforts vis-à-vis civil society actors, foundations, and the private sector and facilitate the identification of collaboration arrangements as appropriate.

3. Lead Knowledge management and impact analysis of the activities financed by the Trust Fund

Analysis and management of Fund's knowledge, including knowledge systematization, establishment of good practices and lessons learned and proposals of recommendations.

Commission assessments, studies, surveys as instructed by the Steering Committee and the TCWGs.

Contribute to strategic and policy discussions with the MPTF stakeholders.

Identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learnt directly linked to country policy goals.

4. Management and Oversight of the Trust Fund Management Unit / Team

Oversee the activities of the TFMU and its team.

Prepare and monitor the Annual Work Plan(s) and budget for the TFMU.

Prepare job descriptions and vacancy announcements, and identify, hire and supervise staff and consultants.

Ensure monitoring and control of operational risks of the TFMU.

Other

The incumbent performs other duties within their functional profile as deemed necessary for the efficient functioning of the Office and the Organization.

Supervisory/Managerial Responsibilities: Supervises the Trust Fund Management Unit

Competencies

Core:

Achieve Results:

Set and align challenging, achievable objectives for multiple projects, have lasting impact.

Think Innovatively:

Proactively mitigate potential risks, develop new ideas to solve complex problems.

Learn Continuously:

Create and act on opportunities to expand horizons, diversify experiences.

Adapt with Agility:

Proactively initiate and champion change, manage multiple competing demands.

Act with Determination:

Think beyond immediate task/barriers and take action to achieve greater results.

Engage and Partner:

Political savvy, navigate complex landscape, champion inter-agency collaboration.

Enable Diversity and Inclusion:

Appreciate benefits of diverse workforce and champion inclusivity.

Cross-Functional & Technical

Partnership management - Relationship management:

Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Partnership management - Multi-stakeholder engagement and funding:

Knowledge and ability to forge multi-stakeholder partnerships, and remove any obstacles to Resource mobilization and multi-stakeholder funding platforms.

Business management - Risk management:

Identify and organize action around reducing, mitigating and proactively managing risks.

Business Development - Integration within the UN:

Ability to identity, and integrate capacity and assets of the UN system, and engage in joint work.
Knowledge of the UN System and ability to apply this knowledge to strategic and/or practical situations.

Business Direction & Strategy - Negotiation and Influence:

Reach a common understanding/agreement, persuade others, resolve points of difference through a dialogue, negotiate mutually acceptable solutions and create ‘win-win’ situations.

Business Development - Knowledge Facilitation:

Ability to animate individuals and groups, internally and externally, and to design and facilitate activities, to share and exchange knowledge, information and ideas.
Knowledge of tools and approaches to stimulate active participation, contribution, and exchange.

Business direction & strategy - System Thinking:

Ability to use objective problem analysis and judgement to understand how interrelated elements coexist within an overall process or system, and to consider how altering one element can impact on other parts of the system.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

An Advanced University degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in International Development, Economics, Social Studies, Business Studies or any other relevant field is required. Or

A first level university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the above-mentioned fields, in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience will be given due consideration in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:

A minimum of ten (10) years (with master’s degree) or twelve (12) years (with bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience at the national and/or international level in managing and/or providing services for the design and management of Trust Funds or large scale programmes including results-based management finance and operations is required.

Experience in resource mobilization and partnership development is required.

Extensive knowledge of UN/UNDP programming is desirable.

Trust Fund management experience is required.

Demonstrated in-depth experience in providing policy advice and developing programmatic solutions, tools and methodologies for the attainment of the SDGs is required.

Proven track record of management skills and leading teams is required.

Experience in the use of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, Teams, etc.), and advanced knowledge of web-based management systems such as ERP and advanced programmes for statistical analysis of data is required.

Demonstrated experience in multi-donor coordination and governance structures is desirable.

Experience in Fragile or Conflict-Affected Settings is desirable.

Previous work experience in Asia and the Pacific region is desirable.

Experience in Trust Fund Risk Management is an asset.

Language Requirement

Fluency in oral and written English is required.

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination.

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles.

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Use of AI by candidates

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Trust Fund Manager [Open to Internal and External candidates]